Basic Materials Sector Wrap

The Basic Materials sector (XLB) held steady during a trading day that saw the S&P 500 grow 0.2%.

Fushi Copperweld (FSIN) was a significant gainer in the sector, rising 6.7%. The stock closed at $6.85 with 291,949 shares moving. The stock traded in a range of $6.44 to $6.85. The stock has lost momentum over the last three months, losing $1.34 (-16.4%) from $8.19 on February 24, 2012.

GSE Holdings (GSE) was one of the sector's big losers, as its price dropped 6.6% (-80 cents) to close at $11.31. 27,116 shares of the stock moved. The stock traded between $11.25 and $12.07.

ADA-ES (ADES) rose 3.4% to close at $25.79, cross its 50-day moving average of $25.60 and 200-day moving average of $22.32.

UFP Technologies (UFPT) rose 1.5% to close at $16.32, approaching its 50-day moving average of $17.71. It has also moved closer to its 200-day moving average of $16.60. Universal Forest Products (MTX) fell 2.4% to close at $36.04, moving closer to its 50-day moving average of $35.84. Also, the stock moved closer to its 200-day moving average of $62.15.

American Vanguard (AVD) hit a new 52-week high today, reaching $26.61 to top the previous high of $26.50.